Packers' General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced on Wednesday that they have released kicker Jack Podlesny. Podlesny, who signed with Green Bay earlier in the spring after a short stint with the Minnesota Vikings, will look to find his new home, and the Packers will see their kicking battle dwindle to two kickers in Anders Carlson and newly signed Viking, Greg Joseph. Podlesny, who played college football at the University of Georgia, was named All-Sec First Team at Kicker his senior year, the same senior year as Anders Carlson, who was named to the second team. It seems as though throughout the offseason, there have been two clear guys in Carlson and Joseph who would be in the battle for the spot, as both have been lights out thus far.
Last season for Carlson was rough, as he ranked 29th in field goal percentage made at 81.8%, 33rd in extra points made at 87.2%, and 20th in total points scored among kickers. Those numbers alone show the need for a kicking battle this offseason, and the Packers did just that. Joseph would bring another leg into play that has veteran experience.
So far in the offseason, Carlson and Joseph have been perfect in their kicking and haven't missed any attempts. In the last drill of the minicamp, the team gathered around to make as much noise as possible as all three kickers got two field goals each, all under pressure. Anders Carlson and Greg Joesph would both go two for two in their kicks, while Podlesny would miss one of his two. This move for the Packers brings them one step closer to finding out their starter, and it is expected to be a battle throughout the Training Camp period, which begins July 22nd for the Packers.
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